Please note! Course description is confirmed for two academic years, which means that in general, e.g. Learning outcomes, assessment methods and key content stays unchanged. However, via course syllabus, it is possible to specify or change the course execution in each realization of the course, such as how the contact sessions are organized, assessment methods weighted or materials used.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

Through courses with alternating themes every year, the student becomes acquainted with different areas of film history, such as film genres, major directors, special themes, or interplay between film and other arts.

Credits: 2

Schedule: 11.01.2021 - 15.01.2021

Teacher in charge (valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022): Satu Kyösola

Teacher in charge (applies in this implementation): Satu Kyösola, Olaf Möller

Contact information for the course (valid 10.12.2020-21.12.2112):

Satu Kyösola: satu.kyosola@aalto.fi

Olaf Möller: shosukester@googlemail.com

CEFR level (applies in this implementation):

Language of instruction and studies (valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022):

Teaching language: English

Languages of study attainment: English

CONTENT, ASSESSMENT AND WORKLOAD

Content
  • Valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022:

    Course contents change every year. Specific course descriptions will be updated in MyCourses Syllabus at the latest three weeks before the beginning of the course.

     

  • Applies in this implementation:

    A Cinema of Laughter and Tears: Realism and Melodrama at Shōchiku Studios 

    Shōchiku is the oldest still active film studio of Japan – 2020 marks the centennial of its first production. KAVI is presenting a small homage to Shōchiku starting in late November, which feels like a nice opportunity to also offer a course on one important aspect: the studio's very unique style. Which Shōchiku cultivates till today: A realism with sometimes melodramatic touches that is anchored in middle-class life – the day to day existence of workers, clerks, salarymen and their families. All internationally celebrated directors who worked for Shōchiku contributed to the development of this style, most famously today Ozu Yasujirō and Shimizu Hiroshi, but also Naruse Mikio, Kinoshita Keisuke, and Yamada Yōji. This course will look at the different aspects and incarnations of this variety of realism which will include choice works from above-mentioned masters as well as examples of Shōchiku's biggest commercial successes in that vein. What we'll discuss is a cinema that like probably no other reflects (on) the lives of its audience.


Assessment Methods and Criteria
  • Valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022:

    Evaluation on a scale of 0-5.

Workload
  • Valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022:

    Contact teaching: Screenings, lectures, discussions (21-27 hours total)
    Independent work: essay or lecture diary (27-33 hours)

DETAILS

Substitutes for Courses
  • Valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022:

    ELO-E1020 Film History 5, ELO-E1020 Film History 6, ELO-E1021 Film History 7

Prerequisites
  • Valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022:

    It is recommended that film history courses 1 to 4 (BA level) are completed prior to enrolling in film history courses on the advanced studies level.